We went to bed that night with a greater sense of security then we had felt since leaving Mosul. We came, moreover, to the conclusion that there was, perhaps, a slight advantage in being under Government patronage, when we really had to apply for that protection which his Highness the Sultan so anxiously proffers to all travellers in his well-regulated country.
CHAPTER XVII
AN ENCOUNTER WITH FANATICS
It was long after sunrise when we awoke next morning; the raft was still tied up and the men showed no signs of moving.
"Hi!" shouted X to Hassan through the felt wall, "why haven't we started?"
"The Mudir has not arrived yet, Effendi."
We waited another ten minutes.
"Hi! Hassan, has the Mudir come?"
"No, Effendi, he will come soon."